Most Famous MMA Fighters

To help you get your feet wet with mixed martial arts (MMA) or as a solid
refresher course, we wanted to put together a list of some of the most famous
fighters in the sport.

Now, this is not going to be a complete list as there are
too many greats to mention but it's going to be a great starting point. We've
included some older fighters that helped shape the sport, and we've also
included some newer fighters that are up and coming or currently dominating the
landscape.

This is by no means supposed to serve as a "Most Famous Fighters of
All-Time" type list. This is just an introductory to get you up to speed on some
of the bigger names in the sport.

Anderson "The Spider" Silva

Arguably one of the best of all times, Anderson Silva made his UFC debut on
June 28, 2006, and quickly rose the ranks of Middleweight Champion.

Silva holds
the record for the longest title streak defense in UFC history with 10 title
defenses. Silva also has 13 post-fight bonuses which are the sign of a fighter
that not only knows how to get the job done but does so while entertaining. If
we had to make our argument, we would say he is the best of all time.

Georges St. Pierre

The former UFC welterweight champion known commonly as GSP is also easily one
of the greats of all time. Not only did GSP claim the title several times, but
he was also ranked the #1 welterweight for years by Sherdog and was the Canadian
Athlete of the Year for 2008, 2009, and 2010 (Rogers Sportsnet).

After stepping
out of the sport a few years back for personal issues, there are rumors that GSP
is looking to make a comeback and fight again in the UFC.

Fedor Emelianenko

Stepping outside of the UFC, Fedor Emelianenko is one of the toughest MMA
fighters in the history of the sport. As the PRIDE Heavyweight Champ and the
WAMMA Heavyweight Champ, Fedor has fought the best of the best and been
victorious.

Just look at this list of names he's conquered - Gary Goodridge,
Mirco Crop Cop, Mark Hunt, Pedro Rizzo, and Andrei Arlovski. This is one of the
scariest lists of men on the planet. In his 40s now, Fedor still can be seen
fighting and still bringing the pain.

Ronda Rousey

Moving back to the UFC but away from the men, the list wouldn't be complete
without mention of Ronda Rousey. An Olympic bronze medalist in Judo, Rousey went
on a 12 fight win streak with 11 of those wins coming in the first round and
nine of them by armbar.

Rousey's streak came to an abrupt halt when she lost to
Holly Holm, a decorated boxer, in 2015. Since then, Ronda has had troubles in
the Octagon and has since left the sport and is pursuing a career in film.

While most think Rousey will not be coming back to MMA, she is still young, and it's
completely possible she might get the itch again and make it back into the cage.
As fans, we'd love to see this.

Randy "The Natural" Couture

With an impressive background in collegiate and Greco-Roman wrestling, Randy
"The Natural" Couture has seen the honors of being a three-time UFC Heavyweight
Champion, two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, an Interim UFC Light
Heavyweight Champion as well as the UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament Winner.

The man has been around in the sport since the beginning and is credited with
helping to shape the sport into what it is today. Also to add to his list of
accolade, Couture has competed in 15 title fights and is the fourth member to be
inducting into the UFC Hall of Fame.

In his 50's now, Couture won four UFC
fights in his 40s showing us all that age is merely a number. Not only has Randy
been famous in the UFC, but he's done quite a bit in the acting realm including
starring in the movie The Expendables.

Matt Hughes

Also with a strong wrestling background, Matt Hughes has been involved in
some of the most famous fights in UFC history. As the Welterweight Champion of
the UFC, Hughes defended his title seven times.

Hughes also defeated every
single opponent in the division which is an impressive feat on its own. Hughes
also found himself inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010.

B.J. Penn

A master at Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, B.J. Penn is a must have on our list of
famous fighters. As one of the top pound for pound fighters in the UFC, Penn has
been the UFC Lightweight Champion and the UFC Welterweight Champion.

Penn has
also competed in four different weight classes throughout his tenure in the UFC.
Dana White, the UFC President, gives Penn credit as the man who brought the
popularity of the lower weight classes into the mainstream by helping to build
out the 155 lb division and by bringing some exciting fights

Conor McGregor

If you've ever seen the Irish fighter knocking people out and expertly
running his mouth, you've met Conor McGregor. Currently active in the UFC,
McGregor is picking apart fighters in several different divisions. Currently (at
the time of this article) he is the UFC Lightweight Champ and was the former UFC
featherweight champ.

He only lost the second distinction because he wanted to
change weight classes to get some tougher opponents. McGregor is easily the
biggest pay per view draw in UFC history, and there are rumors he's in talks to
box Floyd Mayweather, though, we'll believe that when we see it.

Chuck Liddell

One of the hardest hitting men in the world, Chuck Liddell is credited with
helping to bring MMA out of the shadows and into the mainstream. Inducted into
the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009, Liddell has been involved in some of the most
famous battles in the history of the sport.

As the UFC Light Heavyweight Champ,
Liddell has defended his title against some of the baddest in the sport until
finally losing the title to Rampage Jackson at UFC 71.

Jon Jones

The former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion burst onto the scene as
one of the most dominant fighters in the division. His long reach and unorthodox
striking made for a vicious attack that most struggled to fight against.

Unfortunately, Jones has had quite a bit of trouble with the law. He was
stripped of his title in response to felony hit and run charges and has had
issues with performance enhancing drugs that currently have him on a suspension.

As fans were hoping Jones can get his act together and get back in the ring
because he's an absolute joy to watch fight.